Orlando: sun, golf and Disney

Orlando: sun, golf and Disney

Year-round sunshine and the option to combine world-class golf with trips to world-class theme parks and shopping malls, makes Orlando a magnet for overseas property buyers and their families.

Disney

Located in Florida – AKA the “Sunshine State” – Orlando was put firmly on the map thanks to the late Walter Elias Disney, when The Walt Disney World Resort opened on the outskirts of the city in 1971. Disney’s flagship resort has proved so popular over the last 46 years – over 20 million people visited in 2016, making it the most popular amusement park on the planet – that a number of other world-famous entertainment venues, such as Universal Studios and SeaWorld, can now be found within the city’s limits.

Golf

As well as enticing families in search of a Disney holiday home, with convenient access to the attractions and rental potential, Orlando is a popular destination for budding Jordan Spieths, who like nothing better than spending their days on sun-drenched fairways. No other American state is said to have more than Florida’s 1,250-plus golf courses – 200 of which can be found in and around Orlando. The sport has been a popular pastime in Orange County long before Micky Mouse moved into the neighbourhood, with courses that date back to the 1920s. Whether you’re looking for a property near lavish five-star resorts, far from the screams of theme park rides, bargain family-friendly courses, or something in between, this is the place for you.

Downtown

With so much attention focused on the attractions on the city’s fringes, it’s easy to forget about downtown Orlando. Drag yourself away from the roller coasters and Disney characters and you will discover a welcome reduction in the pace of life, as you pass through tree-lined neighbourhoods, immerse yourself in the performing arts and music scene, relax in well-tended public gardens and enjoy delicious cuisine. Proof that Orlando offers the best of both worlds: adrenaline-fuelled fantasy and tranquil city living.